An Open Letter to NYC lyrics

Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten

From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin

Black, White, New York you make it happen

Brownstones, water towers, trees, skyscrapers

Writers, prize fighters and Wall Street traders

We come together on the subway cars

Diversity unified, whoever you are

We're doing fine on the One and Nine line

On the L we're doin' swell

On the number Ten bus we fight and fuss

You know we're thorough in the boroughs 'cause that's a must

I remember when the Duece was all porno flicks

Running home after school to play PIX

At lunch I'd go to Blimpies down on Montague Street

And hit the Fulton Street Mall for the sneakers on my feet

Dear New York I hope you're doing well

I know a lot's happened and you've been through hell

So, we give thanks for providing a home

Through your gates at Ellis Island we passed in droves

Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten

From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin

Black, White, New York you make it happen

The L.I.E. the B.Q.E

Hippies at the band shell with the L.S.D.

Get my BVDs from VIM

You know I'm reppin' Manhattan the best I can

Stopped off at Bleeker Bob's, got thrown out

Sneakin' in at four am after going out

You didn't rob me in the park at Dianna Ross

But everybody started looting when the light went off

From the South South Bronx on out to Queens Bridge

From Hollis Queens right down to Bay Ridge

From Castle Hill to the Lower East Side

From ten-ten WINS to Live At Five

Dear New York, this is a love letter

To you and how you brought us together

We can't say enough about all you do

'Cause in the city we're ourselves and electric too

Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten

From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin

Black, White, New York you make it happen

Shout out the South Bronx where my mom hails from

Right next to High Bridge across from Harlem

To the Grand Concourse where my mom and dad met

Before they moved on down to the Upper West

I see you're still strong after all that's gone on

Lifelong, we dedicate this song

Just a little something to show some respect

To the city that blends and mends and tests

Since 9-11 we're still livin'

And lovin' life we've been given

Ain't nothing gonna take that away from us

We lookin' pretty and gritty 'cause in the city we trust

Dear New York I know a lot has changed

Two towers down but you're still in the game

Home to the many, rejecting no-one

Accepting peoples of all places, wherever they're from

Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten

From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin

Black, White, New York you make it happen

Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten

From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin

Black, White, New York, we make it happen

• Artist:Beastie Boys
• Album:To the 5 Boroughs